Installation and Cost

What does a loop system cost?

Loops systems vary in cost, depending on the size and construction of the room. Small installations may cost $2500-$4500. Typical installations cost for larger venues such as auditoriums, senior centers, churches, etc. are $5000 -$35,000. A large performing art center may cost $100,000 – $150,000. Considering the cost of a good set of hearing aids is around $6,000, the cost of a hearing loop is quite reasonable since it serves an unlimited number of people.

An induction loop system transmits magnetic energy to telecoil-equipped hearing aids through a wire chat surrounds an audience.

How is a loop installed?

A loop system is easily installed by professionals in most venues. A test loop is run to make sure the proposed design will work before we do the permanent installation. Installations are required to meet the international standard IEC 60118-4, which defines the magnetic strength field, frequencies and measurement requirements. Installations are tested with a FSM (field strength meter) to confirm compliance.

Many times, a “loop” is described as a loop of wire around a room (perimeter loop). In fact, this is usually not the case except in small conference rooms or other small rooms. As a general rule, the optimal loop width is somewhere between 10 feet and 25 feet, although this can vary depending on construction of the floor or ceiling where the loop is to be installed.

Perimeter loops are certainly the easiest and cheapest configuration to install- if they will work. Perimeter loops can be one or two turns, with the two turn loop increasing the signal roughly 15%. In newer buildings with more metal and steel in the construction, perimeter loops are usually not acceptable, except in very small rooms.

Many typical loop designs include a figure eight or snowman, which is a continuation of the figure eight design to three or four loops. This design can be done in many churches around each pew area or in rooms where a perimeter loop does not give the signal required to meet IEC 60118-4:2006. This is all dependent on testing prior to installation.

To cover larger area, control signal spill outside of the loop, account for metal loss in the floor or ceiling or accommodate rooms where there is not fixed seating, a phased array loop design is the best overall design. Two independent loops, typically called the master and slave, are staggered over each other and are driven by separate amplifiers with a 90 degree phase shift of the input signal. The resulting signal is quite uniform in both vertical and horizontal planes, making this the best choice for many venues.

Other loop designs may include a cancellation loop at one end such as where there is a stage and spill could be an issue upon the stage for microphones or musical instruments.

Custom design and installation to ensure you get the right product for your venue

Signage to inform that a Hearing Loop is installed

Handouts to educate users and the general public

Publish-ready announcements for your newsletter, church bulletin or emails

We can help you with a news release to send to the newspaper, church magazine or blogs

We will post your location on our website directory as being accessible for persons who use hearing aids

With each installed hearing loop system, we will be available to answer questions, offer hands-on instruction and verify that the system works to the satisfaction of the end users. The loop will be in working order as soon as installation is completed. We typically have a “shake down” time and we ask that a few known hearing aid users provide us with feedback.